While markets data shows that the global market for dining out is projected to grow from $1.9 trillion now to more than $3 trillion by 2030, many individual chains that were popular in another era are struggling to survive amid changing consumer trends.
U.S. chains like Smokey Bones, Peet's Coffee, and Joe's Crab Shack have collectively closed dozens of locations this year. Meanwhile, over in the United Kingdom, Leon and The Real Greek both nearly halved their store locations in 2026 despite once going through a period of rapid expansion that made them well-recognized chains in the country's major cities.
With the first location opening in the Greater London borough of Enfield in 1974, the restaurant chain Beefeater has, over several generations, earned a reputation for being a family-friendly steakhouse chain serving grilled steak cuts, burgers, and fish and chips at more accessible prices.
At its peak, the chain had approximately 140 standalone and Brewers Fayre brewery-attached locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. But amid soaring operating costs the hotel and dining company Whitbread confirmed plans to shutter all remaining 106 restaurants by September.
Earlier in the year, Whitbread announced a restructuring plan that aims to bring down annual costs down costs by £250 million ($333 million USD).
#kingdom
U.S. chains like Smokey Bones, Peet's Coffee, and Joe's Crab Shack have collectively closed dozens of locations this year. Meanwhile, over in the United Kingdom, Leon and The Real Greek both nearly halved their store locations in 2026 despite once going through a period of rapid expansion that made them well-recognized chains in the country's major cities.
With the first location opening in the Greater London borough of Enfield in 1974, the restaurant chain Beefeater has, over several generations, earned a reputation for being a family-friendly steakhouse chain serving grilled steak cuts, burgers, and fish and chips at more accessible prices.
At its peak, the chain had approximately 140 standalone and Brewers Fayre brewery-attached locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. But amid soaring operating costs the hotel and dining company Whitbread confirmed plans to shutter all remaining 106 restaurants by September.
Earlier in the year, Whitbread announced a restructuring plan that aims to bring down annual costs down costs by £250 million ($333 million USD).
#kingdom
2 months ago
